Apply for a Filming/Photography Permit

There are many beautiful parks, foreshores and beaches throughout the Mornington Peninsula that may be suitable for commercial filming or photography. Some of these locations are not governed by the Shire though, instead by different entities, including Parks Victoria and Committees of Management. Shire Filming/Photography Permits are only issued for outdoor spaces managed or owned by the Shire.

To determine whether your chosen space is on Shire land or other, explore the options below:

• View our Interactive Map
• Download a list of Shire Outdoor Spaces in Bookable
• View our Beaches and Foreshores
• Download map of Committees of Management 

Parks Victoria

Parks Victoria manage a large portion of back beaches from Portsea to Flinders as well as National Park area. To book a space on Parks Victoria managed land including the below please get in touch with them directly.

• Bushrangers Bay 
• Cape Schanck
• Gunnamatta Beach
• Point Nepean National Park
• Portsea Ocean Beach
• Rye Ocean Beach
• Sorrento Ocean Beach
• St Andrews Beach
• Flinders Ocean Beach

Volunteer Committees of Management

A number of foreshores across the Mornington Peninsula are managed by locally run Volunteer Committees of Management. To book a space on land managed by a committee, please get in touch with them directly:

• Balnarring Beaches 
• Blairgowrie & Rye West Front Beach
• Capel Sound and Tootgarook Beaches 
• Crib Point & Stony Point Beaches 
• Dromana Beach (excluding lawns directing left and right of Pier which are Shire managed)
• Merricks Beach 
• Point Leo 
• Shoreham Beach 
• Somers Beaches (currently managed by Department of Energy, Environment & Climate Action)

Other Shire spaces and facilities

To discuss events, filming/photography or weddings at The Briars please contact them directly. Email the.briars@mornpen.vic.gov.au or call 035950 1221

To discuss events, filming/photography or weddings in Shire Halls please contact them directly. Email hallbookings@mornpen.vic.gov.au or call 5950 1150

Private land

To discuss filming on private land please contact the landowner directly. 

Roads

If you are planning to film or photograph on a peninsula road, you will need a permit. See more information below:

• Shire-Managed Roads: Includes most residential roads and requires a Shire Filming/Photography Permit.
• Vic Roads (Department of Transport): Includes most major freeways and arterial roads and requires a Vic Roads filming permit. This includes Mornington Peninsula Freeway, Nepean Highway, Point Nepean Road and Esplanade. View their interactive map to find out more.

If you're still unsure, please get in touch with the Permitting Team.

All fees are inclusive of GST. Fees are calculated per day and are payable upon booking.

Low Season (1 May - 30 September) $288 per day

High Season (1 October - 30 April) $430 per day

Application must be submitted at least two weeks before your scheduled filming/photography date(s).

If your requirements include a Traffic Management Plan please allow at least three weeks.

The following documentation is required in support of your Filming/Photography application which you will be prompted to supply via our booking system ‘Bookable’ when you’re ready to book your space. To help guide you through this process, a Permitting Officer will be assigned to your event. We have also provided some optional templates to use which you can download by clicking the links below.

Filming/Photography - Always Required

• Site Map
• Risk Management Plan
• Emergency Management Plan
• Public Liability Insurance -The Applicant is required to effect and maintain public liability insurance to the value of $20 million dollars in respect to any one activity or occurrence

Drones - Always Required

If your filming includes operation of a Remote Piloted Aircraft (RPA) or drone and you are launching and landing from Shire owned or managed land the following is also required:

• Copy of the Remote Pilot License (RePL) for all drone operators
• Copy of the RPA Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) for all drone operators
• Copy of public liability insurance (minimum $20 million cover) for all drone operators
• Map of the flight path, noting the operator’s location and drone launching/landing site(s)
• Risk Management Plan, including risks specific to the location
• Copy of permission from the landowner (if the drone is also flying over private land)

Sometimes Required (if applicable)

• Traffic Management Plan - if your filming includes a change to traffic conditions, road closure, traffic attendants or carpark closure.
• Notification to nearby businesses/residents - you must notify any businesses or residents that you perceive your filming will impact.
• Notification to Victoria Police - you must notify police when your filming activity may be seen or heard by members of the public and filming involves:
  1. the use of firearms (real or imitation), weapons or special effects like explosives, flames, smoke, mock car accidents and/or,
  2. the use of private traffic management on major roads and/or,
  3. any activity that may cause public concern including violence (physical or verbal), mock police, military activity, large crowds, etc. and/or,
  4. any of remote piloted aircraft (drones) over public places.

You are required to apply for a Filming/Photography Permit if your filming includes the operation of a Remote Piloted Aircraft (RPA) or drone and you are launching and landing from Shire owned or managed land. The operator must be registered and accredited with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and be fully aware of their regulatory controls and guidelines.

Documentation Required

• Copy of the Remote Pilot License (RePL) for all drone operators.

• Copy of the RPA Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) for all drone operators.

• Copy of public liability insurance (minimum $20 million cover) for all drone operators.

• Map of the flight path, noting the operator’s location and drone launching/landing site(s).

• Risk Management Plan, including risks specific to the location.

• Copy of permission from the landowner (if the drone is also flying over private land).

When you hit the button below you will be taken to our booking system ‘Bookable’ where you can view and book Shire outdoor spaces. Before you do, please consider the following:

• Your booking is not confirmed until you receive your Permit
• Bookings must be submitted at least two weeks prior for low impact filming/photography and at least three weeks if it includes a traffic management plan.
• You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application.
• It is important that you familiarise yourself with the Terms and Conditions of the Filming/Photography Permit

To book your space

Step 1

Download the How to Book a Space for Filming/Photography to guide you through the booking process. 

Step 2

• Click the 'Book Outdoor Space' button below which will take you to our booking system ‘Bookable’.
• If you can't find your chosen space, choose 'Other Foreshore or Beach Location’ or ‘Other Park or Open Space (including roads)’ in the Venue or Suburb field
• If your activity is across multiple spaces, choose 'Multi-Spaces' in the Venue or Suburb field
• Include bump in/out times as part of your total booking time. Happy Booking!

Book Outdoor Space

Events Permitting Team

Phone: 1300 850 600
Email: event.permits@mornpen.vic.gov.au